| Abstract: | Psychology formally entered the Australian arena via university departments of Philosophy, commencing last century and taking its initial direction largely from Britain. The previous pattern of development of Australian psychology was more distinctive than is its present state. Although the influences of Germany and the United States have supplemented that of the parent country, it is difficult to discern any locally blended colouration in the discipline or the profession as they now appear. Somewhat distanced from the universities, applied psychology has flourished especially in the public sector beginning with the initial close liaison formed between psychology and education in a developing colonial society. The public impact of research and practice is by no means as apparent as in the United States or Britain. After a burgeoning in the ‘sixties and early ‘seventies, the present state is one of limited growth concurrent with the general recession. |
